Walt Disney World is responding to growing customer dissatisfaction and decreasing park attendance by implementing discounts on admission and hotel stays over recent months.
In May, the company launched discounted three-day ticket packages for guests visiting Hollywood Studios, EPCOT, and Animal Kingdom for $89 per day, although tickets to Magic Kingdom must still be bought separately. These reduced ticket prices, effective until September 24, mark a significant drop from the previous high of $254 for a daily Park Hopper pass.
Additionally, Disney is working to lower the overall cost of a trip to the Florida resort by offering discounts on its budget hotel options. Depending on the timing of bookings, a night at Disney’s All-Star Movies, Music, and Sports Resort could be as low as $100, reflecting discounts of up to 27% based on recent analyses.
The parks have also rolled out new dining packages this summer, which offer a 20% to 30% reduction in meal costs. Families can purchase all-day meal passes priced at $30 for children and $95 for adults, redeemable for various meals and snacks in the parks. Furthermore, Disney World has introduced more quick meal options, affordable children’s food, and more flexible restaurant policies.
Industry experts suggest that the rising costs of dining within the parks have contributed to declining customer satisfaction. Len Testa, president of TouringPlans.com, noted that satisfaction ratings dropped from 90% to 60% as Disney shifted from a la carte dining to fixed price meals at many popular restaurants.
While Testa acknowledged the benefits of Disney’s cost-cutting measures, he warned that these changes might not genuinely reflect a commitment to affordability or improving guest satisfaction. He remarked that Disney has historically been willing to compromise on positive customer feedback in favor of revenue.